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Emerging Leader Shares Why Vision 2030 is Critical to Economic Growth

April 4th, 2018

Vision 2030 Committee Member Derek Lamle Shares Experience

The Emerging Leaders Alliance (ELA) works to create opportunities for action, growth and regional pride. To achieve this goal, ELA members are invited to participate in Vision 2030, allowing them to represent the voice of young leaders in regional decisions.

In this blog, we engage with ELA Member and Business Development Committee Co-Chair, Derek Lamle, to learn more about a young leader’s role in Vision 2030.

What does your position as co-chair of the Vision 2030 Business Development committee look like?

My role is to summarize key takeaways from Business Attraction Committee meetings, track attendance, help set meeting agenda and transmit information to members on the committee. As one of four co-chairs, our responsibility is to provide direction to the six Business Attraction sub-committees, listen to issues they are facing and oversee the work being performed at the sub-committee level to ensure the work is in-line with Business Attraction Committee’s mission which is to build, market and sell Northeast Indiana to increase business investment. I started in January of 2018, but am very much looking forward to finding additional ways to contribute and meeting others on the committee.

Can you share something exciting that your committee is currently working on?

Similar to a business looking to scale its operations but may lack the capital, the Business Attraction Committee looks to make the largest regional impact but with limited time. The committee is full of leaders with ample experience, know-how, influence and ability, but are limited by amount of time available. With that being said, the committee has six subcommittees, all focused and doing work that is creating a tangible impact. The most exciting work being done is the creation of a regional spec building and site inventory listing. This project will allow the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership staff and others working to sell the region exactly where available space is situated. It’s also an opportunity for us to recognize the areas of the region where building or sites would make sense and plan to develop the areas in order to attract new business.

How does your role as co-chair help you represent the voice of young leaders in Northeast Indiana?

I have been awestruck by the priority community leaders place on the wants and needs of young people. Being the youngest person in the room on the committee, it was my assumption that quality of place amenities requested by young people were afterthoughts, but now realize they are common items of discussion. The committee understands that a key piece to achieving our goals is dependent on things that sell our regional product, such as parks, trail systems, vibrant downtown, weekend entertainment/ festivals, lake living, arts district, local markets and trendy restaurants.

How have you grown in this position?

Being involved with the Business Attraction Committee has helped me see the bigger picture. While I still might not see the ‘entire’ picture, I am motivated by the stakeholders involved in pushing this region forward. The committee is made up of individuals in government, higher education, for-profit business, health care, non-profits, professional services, insurance, real estate and more. Although on some level competition may exist between some parties involved, it’s evident that the prosperity of the region is more important than any potential gain from self-interest. Ultimately, the interconnectedness and potential of what the Business Attraction Committee can accomplish is exciting.

Why is it important for young leaders to have a voice in regional issues?

It’s important for the long term viability of the region. By allowing young people the opportunity to share their voice and work alongside established leaders, it shows our voice is valued.

I have experienced the priority that regional leaders place on the perspectives, feedback and input of young people. I think by encouraging this type of engagement more young leaders will want to get involved knowing what they are bringing to the table is valued.

Lastly, those currently in leadership positions have spent their time, effort and money to create the momentum were experiencing today. The transition of current to future leaders will be vital to the progress of our region.